The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers

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Every cup of coffee is fresh, delicious, and convenient to make with the best single-serve coffee makers.

Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to brew a whole pot of coffee. In those moments, single-serve coffee makers are the perfect solution. While pricey (and somewhat wasteful) pod coffee machines might first come to mind, they’re not the only choice. From cheap, pour-over coffee makers to multifunction machines that can grind and brew coffee, there’s an option for almost every coffee drinker.

Just like any coffee brewing device, the best single-serve coffee makers are a pleasure to use and reliably brew a good cup of coffee. Their main draw is their convenience, with many making hot coffee and sometimes lattes, cappuccinos, and other drinks at the touch of a button. A few options take a bit more effort, but they’re ideal for those who enjoy the coffee-making process and want more control of their brew. Read on for the best single-serve coffee makers to craft the perfect cup of Joe.

1. BEST OVERALL: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Black+Decker Single-Serve Coffee Maker
3. BEST FRENCH PRESS: Mueller French Press Coffee Maker
4. BEST DRIP COFFEE: Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker
5. BEST POUR-OVER: Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker
6. BEST DUAL COFFEE MAKER: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
7. MOST VERSATILE: Instant Dual Pod Plus Coffee Maker
8. BEST COMPACT: Keurig K-Compact Coffee Maker
9. BEST LARGE-CAPACITY: Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker

How We Chose the Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers

One of the main draws of single-serve coffee makers is that they’re convenient, so ease of use was one of the main features we evaluated. We considered how difficult it was to brew a cup of coffee (the fewer buttons and steps, the better) as well as the ease of cleaning and maintenance (dishwasher-safe parts are a big win for convenience).

Convenience doesn’t mean compromising on taste, however, especially since the single-serve coffee maker market has only grown in recent years. We selected coffee makers from reputable brands that also are known for brewing tasty coffee (including many that have the option for users to brew their own favorite ground coffee). We have picks on our list that can brew specialty drinks and even espresso drinks.

There’s no way around it: Disposable single-use pods are rather wasteful, but sometimes that’s the trade-off for convenience. With sustainability in mind, we prioritized more eco-conscious options, choosing coffee makers with recyclable, or even better, reusable filter, capsule, or pod options.

Our Top Picks

Looking for a coffee maker for only one cup at a time? Morning and afternoon pick-me-ups are tasty and fresh with the best single-serve coffee makers ahead.

Best Overall

Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe

A one-touch brewing system makes it almost impossible to brew a bad cup of coffee in the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe: Just insert the capsule, press the button, and it starts brewing. This countertop machine is versatile and convenient, brewing 5-ounce or 8-ounce coffees as well as espressos and double espressos. It adjusts the brew settings (like the coffee size, temperature, pressure, and brewing time) according to the inserted Nespresso Vertuo capsule, choosing the best settings automatically.

An automatic opening mechanism makes it so simple to insert and eject capsules. The capsule ejects itself when the coffee is finished brewing, then moves into a storage container that holds around ten used capsules—which means less frequent emptying. You can then collect the capsules and return them to Nespresso for free recycling. Unfortunately, Nespresso does not offer reusable capsules. Third-party reusable capsules are available, though they may not perform as well as expected.

In terms of convenient design features, this coffee machine has an adjustable and removable 60-ounce water reservoir. The reservoir holder is mounted on a swivel so you can change its position, placing it either beside the machine or behind it to create the optimal layout.

Product Specs 

• Type: Pod coffee machine
• Dimensions: 12.8 inches tall by 9.1 inches wide by 13.2 inches deep
• Reservoir capacity: 60 ounces

Pros

• Very user-friendly with 1-touch operation and automatic opening system
• Automatically ejects capsule after brewing and holds it in a 10-capsule storage container
• Water-tank position is adjustable to optimize this coffee maker’s footprint

Cons

• Only compatible with Nespresso Vertuo capsules
• Does not have a Nespresso reusable pod option

Get the Nespresso single-serve coffee maker at Amazon, Walmart, Target, or Nespresso.

Best Bang for the Buck

Black+Decker Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Single-serve coffee machines have a reputation for being pricey, but that’s not always the case, especially with a super-simple model like this coffee maker from Black+Decker. This model is essentially a drip coffee maker in a much smaller footprint. It comes with a removable brew basket with a reusable metal mesh filter for users to fill with their favorite grounds. Used this way, there’s no extra waste, though this machine is also compatible with soft coffee pods for extra convenience. For those who like to take their coffee on the go, it also comes with a 16-ounce travel mug, which fits perfectly in the coffee maker as well as most car cupholders.

This single-serve coffee machine measures 9.4 inches tall by 6.1 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep, so it won’t take up much counter space. Its plastic construction isn’t the most durable or stylish, but it’s a practical and very convenient coffee machine for a budget-friendly price. Best of all, cleaning is easy with this coffee maker since it comes with dishwasher-safe parts.

Product Specs 

• Type: Single-serve coffee machine
• Dimensions: 9.4 inches tall by 6.1 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep
• Reservoir capacity: 15.89 ounces

Pros

• Includes a reusable brew basket (with a permanent filter) and a 16-ounce travel mug
• Very compact design with small footprint; ideal for tight spaces
• Dishwasher-safe parts make cleaning convenient

Cons

• Not compatible with popular hard coffee pods

Get the Black+Decker single-serve coffee maker at Amazon, Wayfair, or Black+Decker.

Best French Press

Mueller French Press Coffee Maker

As a pour-over coffee maker, this product from Bodum brings it back to basics, but in an elevated way. At its core, it has a simple design like many pour-over cones, with a filter to place coffee grounds in. This one has a permanent plastic and stainless steel mesh filter that’s dishwasher-safe. It doesn’t use paper filters, which means less waste and a more robust coffee taste (paper can absorb some of the coffee’s flavorful oils).

One reason why this coffee maker is a favorite is that it comes with a borosilicate glass carafe that fits the coffee filter perfectly. Since the glass is nonporous, it won’t absorb any flavors or aromas between brews. For added convenience and safety, the carafe is dishwasher-safe and has a heat-resistant cork band handle.

Product Specs 

• Type: Pour-over coffee maker
• Dimensions: 6.06 inches tall by 4.52 inches wide by 5.43 inches deep
• Reservoir capacity: Not applicable

Pros

• Plastic and stainless steel mesh filter is dishwasher-safe and very easy to use
• Comes with a dishwasher-safe, nonporous borosilicate glass carafe
• Carafe features a cork band for better grip and protection against hot liquids

Cons

• Thin glass carafe is breakable and does not retain heat

Get the Bodum single-serve coffee maker at Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, or Bodum.

Best Drip Coffee

Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Another old-fashioned alternative, a French press is a manual coffee-making option, great for brewing single cups. The Mueller French press coffee maker is on this best coffee makers list for good reason: It’s durable and easy to use. Made of double-layered stainless steel, Mueller claims it will keep coffee hot for 60 minutes longer than thin steel or glass models, but a cool-touch handle keeps users safe. Since it’s made of metal, it’s entirely shatterproof and dishwasher-safe as well.

This coffee maker is useful for more than just making single cups. It has a 34-ounce capacity to make one or a few mugs of coffee, with a four-layer filtration system to effectively filter out grounds. It’s also useful for making tea, hot chocolate, and cold brew coffee, as well as frothing milk for homemade drinks. This French press is a good travel companion since it comes with a travel canister to hold up to two mugs of coffee grounds.

Product Specs 

• Type: French press
• Dimensions: 8.25 inches tall by 7.05 inches wide by 4.17 inches deep
• Reservoir capacity: 34 ounces

Pros

• Stainless steel material and double-walled design helps retain heat
• All elements are made of stainless steel; shatterproof and dishwasher-safe
• Includes a travel canister to store 2 batches of coffee grounds

Cons

• Over time, the plunger screw may eventually become stripped, rendering the French press unusable

Get the Mueller single-serve coffee maker at Amazon, Walmart, or Mueller.

Best Pour-over

Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker

Looking for a drip coffee maker, but on a smaller scale? This coffee machine from Hamilton Beach is both a useful and attractive alternative. It is made of metal, so it looks upscale and is more durable than plastic options. It also takes coffee grounds and doesn’t use paper filters. Instead, it comes with a mesh brew basket with a handle so it doubles as a coffee scoop. This model doesn’t take single-use pods, so it’s the right pick for coffee lovers who only stick to drip coffee. You can choose between a regular or bold brew strength.

Though it’s designed for single cups, it has a 40-ounce removable water reservoir, which means it doesn’t need to be filled for each cup. A flip-up cupholder makes it possible to brew mugs of coffee or insert a travel mug up to 7 inches tall.

Product Specs 

• Type: Single-serve coffee machine
• Dimensions: 12.9 inches tall by 5.6 inches wide by 11.2 inches deep
• Reservoir capacity: 40 ounces

Pros

• 2 coffee-strength options: regular or bold brew
• Flip-up cupholder makes it possible to use regular mugs and tall travel mugs
• Mesh brew basket doubles as a coffee grounds scoop

Cons

• Not compatible with single-use coffee pods or capsules

Get the Hamilton Beach single-serve coffee maker at The Home Depot, Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, or Hamilton Beach.

Best Dual Coffee Maker

Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker

Dual coffee

makers can make both single-serve portions and full pots of coffee. The Ninja Specialty coffee maker has six brew size options, ranging from brewing a single cup up to a full pot of coffee into the included carafe. This coffee maker takes grounds, not pods, so it’s a lower-waste option. To accommodate its size options, it has a removable water reservoir with the necessary capacity.

Choose from four brew options: classic, rich, specialty, and iced coffee. These brew settings make it possible to make a wide range of drinks. Best of all? The coffee maker has a foldaway frother on its side, which makes it possible to froth hot or cold milk without adding an extra device to the kitchen.

Product Specs 

• Type: Dual coffee maker
• Dimensions: 15.04 inches tall by 8.75 inches wide by 11.99 inches deep
• Reservoir capacity: 40 ounces

Pros

• 6 brewing sizes, ranging from a single serving to a full pot of coffee
• 4 brewing options: classic, rich, specialty, and iced coffee
• Includes a built-in, foldaway milk frother for making specialty drinks

Cons

• The removable water reservoir may be more prone to leaking
• The milk frother does not heat the milk; it only froths

Get the Ninja single-serve coffee maker at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, or Ninja.

Most Versatile

Instant Dual Pod Plus Coffee Maker

The Instant Dual Pod Plus coffee maker is the coffee machine for homes with a range of coffee preferences. Unlike the other coffee makers on this list, it’s compatible with Keurig K-Cup pods and Nespresso capsules, plus it comes with a reusable pod for ground coffee.

For even more personalization, the brew strength and cup size are adjustable. These features mean you can truly take advantage of the wide range of single-serve coffee options out there, including whipping up cafe-rivaling drinks. This coffee maker is travel-mug-friendly to make it easy to bring drinks on the go. A removable 68-ounce water reservoir makes refilling a less frequent chore.

Product Specs 

• Type: Single-serve/pod coffee maker
• Dimensions: 13 inches tall by 7.2 inches wide by 16.2 inches deep
• Reservoir capacity: 68 ounces

Pros

• Compatible with K-Cup pods, Nespresso capsules, and an included reusable pod for ground coffee
• Brew strength and cup size are adjustable
• Easy to access and intuitive controls

Cons

• Large size; can take up a good chunk of counter space

Get the Instant single-serve coffee maker at Amazon, The Home Depot, Best Buy,